Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 18:24-25

"So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." — Exodus 18:24-25 (ASV)

Moses hearkened. —The appointment of judges, according to Jethro’s advice, was not made until after the giving of the Law and the setting up of the Tabernacle. (See Deuteronomy 1:9-15.) In one particular, Moses departed from the counsel given to him. Instead of directly choosing the “able men” himself, he left the selection to the people (Deuteronomy 1:13). And contented himself with investing the men chosen with their authority. Compare the course taken by the apostolic college with respect to the first deacons (Acts 6:3–6).